Sumter Electric Membership Corporation Inc. presented the South Georgia Technical College Foundation with a 1998 International Utility 4900 bucket truck to be used to help train the next generation of electrical lineworkers in the college’s Electrical Lineworker Program.
“We appreciate the partnership that we have with Sumter Electric and their willingness to provide equipment for our Electrical Lineworker students to train on,” said South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford. “Our program needed a manual transmission vehicle. All of our vehicles have automatic transmissions and there is a chance that our graduates will be required to operate a manual transmission at some point in their careers. This truck will now allow us to provide that training and expose them to something they may see once they enter the workforce. Partnerships like this and others are crucial to our success. Sumter EMC is truly impacting student success at South Georgia Technical College.”
South Georgia Technical College created the Electrical Lineworker Apprenticeship Course in 2005 in partnership with several power companies as a direct response to regional utility company workforce demands. Over 500 individuals have graduated and been placed in the industry since the program began.
There is still a shortage of trained lineworkers in the electrical industry and the SGTC Electrical Lineworker Apprentice Certificate Training Program is helping the industry keep up with the demand for new workers. Successful graduates have the entry level skills that the regional power utility companies are seeking. Training includes proper use of lineworker tools, lineworker simulation, power industrial truck operation and electrical safety. There are physical requirements and lineworker students also complete observation-based training in an industry setting.
South Georgia Technical College has been able to offer the eight week electrical lineworker training almost tuition free to HOPE eligible students. The support of business and industry has also helped with scholarships and training equipment that duplicates the equipment used on the job.
Admission requirements for the eight-week program include: 18 years of age, a high school diploma or GED, and a valid driver’s license as well as the enrollment requirements of South Georgia Technical College.
To learn more about enrolling in the Electrical Lineworker Program contact Tami Blount at 229-931-2040 or tblount@southgatech.edu.
For more information about donating to South Georgia Technical College, contact SGTC Foundation executive director Su Ann Bird at 229-931-2110 or sbird@southgatech.edu.
South Georgia Technical College offers over 200 associate degree, diploma, or technical certificate of credit classes. The college has a 99% job placement rating for graduates and offers lifetime career placement services. Financial aid is available for qualified students. For more information about applying to South Georgia Technical College, visit www.southgatech.edu or contact the admissions office at 229-931-2394 in Americus or 229-271-4040 in Cordele. A special Fall mini-mester will begin on October 7th.